One-time NBA champion signs with Bayern Munich

Free-agent forward/center Serge Ibaka signed with German club FC Bayern Munich for the upcoming season, according to a press release from the club.

Ibaka, who won an NBA championship with the Raptors in 2019, holds career averages of 12.0 points, 7.1 rebounds and 1.9 blocks across 919 NBA appearances (697 starts). The 6-foot-10 big man was originally drafted by the Thunder (then SuperSonics) with the No. 24 overall pick in the 2008 draft. Oklahoma City brought Ibaka over in the 2009-10 season and he played there through 2016, helping the team reach the 2012 NBA Finals.

“We are incredibly proud and happy that such a highly decorated athlete like Serge Ibaka believes in our journey,” club president Herbert Heiner said, per the release. “We are convinced that he will not only be a tremendous asset in terms of sports but also a enrichment for German basketball. I am certain that our young players will greatly benefit from his vast experience.”

During his time with the Thunder, Ibaka became one of the league’s premier shot-blockers, averaging 2.5 blocks across 524 appearances with Oklahoma City. In arguably his best defensive season, the year the Thunder fell in the 2012 Finals, Ibaka averaged 3.7 blocks.

In the 2016 offseason, Ibaka was traded to the Magic in the deal that landed Victor Oladipo and Domantas Sabonis in Oklahoma City. The Congolese big appeared in 56 games with Orlando before being traded to the Raptors at the 2017 trade deadline in exchange for Terrence Ross. Ibaka was a key rotation piece for the Raptors’ championship team, putting up 15.0 points in the regular season and 9.4 points and 6.0 rebounds in 24 playoff games.

After leaving the Raptors following the 2019-20 season, Ibaka had brief stints with the Clippers and Bucks before being traded at the 2023 deadline to the Pacers, who waived him.

Bayern Munich is getting a two-time NBA block champ and three-time All-Defensive Team member by signing Ibaka. The release mentions the team’s roster is complete with the signing, completing an impressive offseason that saw the club ink former NBAers Carsen Edwards and Leandro Bolmaro.

Ibaka is Oklahoma City’s all-time franchise leader in total blocks, with 1,300, and in blocks per game, with 2.5.

“[Ibaka]’s career speaks for itself,” Bayern Munich sport director Daniele Baiesi said, per the release. “With him, we get size, the ability to open up the court, and a huge presence on and off the field. Without a doubt, this is a very prestigious transfer and demonstrates the credibility of our program.“